3 Nephi 6:18 Rebel Against God

This morning I was reading from 3 Nephi 6, and came across a verse that is highlighted.  I’m surprised I haven’t stopped to write about it before because it is so pertinent in this day.  Actually, I see it in my own family as well as extended family and it is such a concern.  Verse 18 says:  “Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did willfully rebel against God.”

What does it mean to willfully rebel against God?  Whenever I have a question like that, I like to see what Mr. Webster has to say about the words I’m dealing with in the question. 

Rebel:  a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler.  A person who resists authority, control, or convention.

Willfully:  having or showing a stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants, regardless of the consequences or effects: the pettish, willful side of him.

Against:  In opposition to something. 

This is even more of a concern than I thought.  Armed resistance?  Stubborn and determined intention to do as one wants?  Regardless of consequences or effects?  To be in opposition to God?  When you put it that way, it is so much more than just becoming inactive or casual and nonexistent regard for covenants made – which really is the same thing.  This is a camp I would think we should all want to shy away from. 

So what brings us to that camp, which I might add is getting larger on a daily basis?  I may have answered that in the previous paragraph.  “Inactive, casual, and nonexistent regard for covenants made” is a key factor in the demise of a righteous saint.  Initially, not attending to all our meetings might seem like a small infraction.  But this is the beginning of a casual relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Once we become casual, then we begin to embrace the teachings of the adversary (the world), and it is a slippery slope to opposition to God from that point on.  I’ve seen it in my loved ones over and over. 

I believe without exception it begins with casual attendance to meetings.  So why would that be?  If I don’t go to sacrament meeting for a few weeks in a row, why should that be such a big deal?  There is something very securing about the weekly covenant to commit to remember our Savior as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament.  Our attitude is different.  We tend to remember longer.  Over time, and with experiences in the world that send us to our knees, we remember more quickly the covenant Christ has made to be with us always and we see His presence in our lives.  We are strengthened and we strengthen others in our daily happenings.  Conversely, as we miss this opportunity, it becomes less important to us and we let slip into our lives actions that are not conducive to a binding relationship with our Heavenly Father.  It is a natural process. 

I love Sundays!  They are my respite from the storm.  I love that my focus on this day is drawing nearer to my Heavenly Father.  I love that I don’t even worry about things that need to be done.  I set them aside for this one day and do those things I’ve covenanted to do.  It is a delightful way to live.  Without fail, if I ever pass someone who is working in their yard or fields on a Sabbath, I say a silent prayer of gratitude that I don’t feel the draw to work on His day.  It is freedom that I will forever be grateful for.